Means for use in measuring and fitting boots and shoes.



PATENTED OUT. 24, 1905.

v I W. M. HALBAGH.

' MEANS FOR USE IN MEASURING AND FITTING BOOTS AND SHOES.

AYPLIOATION FILED JUNE 25,1903.

fivenaor db M Q I o ornqy.

Wait/messes.-

WILLIAM M. HALBAGH,

I. OFFICE.

OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

MEANS FOR USE llN MEASURING AND FITTING BOOTS AND SHOES.

Application filed June 25,

To a, whnm/ 711/ may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM MARIE HAL- BACH, a citizen of the United States, residing at London, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin Means for Use in Measuring and Fitting Boots and Shoes, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The boots and shoes which are keptin stock by a vender vary in shape as well as in size, because the human foot varies in both shape and size in the cases of different individuals. The position of the prominence or bone of the ball of a foot varies more or less, for instance, as also do the measurements around and over the foot, and a shoe must be shaped and proportioned accordingly or it will not fit comfortably. It will be obvious that in order to enable a customers foot to be fitted properly it is necessary for the vender to furnish a pair of shoes conforming in shape or contour with the feet, as well as of the right size.

The object of the invention is to provide means for use by a vender of boots and shoes by which to enable the exact shape, as well as the size and measurements, of a customers foot to be ascertained quickly and conveniently, whereby to facilitate the prompt selection of a proper shoe to fit the foot, and which will obviate the necessity for the trying on of boots or shoes of different shapes and sizes, which heretofore has been required in order to lind a fit.

In conformity with the invention I make molds or the like counterpart reproductions of lasts corresponding with those that are used in the manufacture of the boots and shoes which constitute the stock of a retail vender. A set of the said molds or counterpart reproductions should correspond with all of the different sizes, shapes, &c., of lasts which were used in making the boots or shoes that are comprised in such stock. The molds or counterpart reproductions have certain essential features, as hereinafter described and claimed, and are furnished with measuring devices by means of which the measurements around a foot at the required point or points maybe taken. The vender being furnished with a set of the devices or, as they may be termed, molds or templets in proceeding to lit a customers foot will first iind the proper mold or templet by applying one or more of the same in succession to the foot until the right one to suit the latter has been found.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented (Jet. 24:, 1905.

1903. Serial No. 163,028.

The measurements around the foot will then be taken. The markings upon the mold or templet which identify the corresponding last, together with the measurements, will enable the vender to at once find the proper boot or shoe.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows in side elevation a mold or templet embodying the invention. Fig. 2 shows the same in plan. Fig. 3 is a view of the same in cross-section on line A B of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 show in side elevation different embodiments of the invention.

Having reference to the drawings, in each of the views a designates the tread portion or sole portion of a mold or templet made in conformity with the invention, and b in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 designates a raised rim or marginal portion with which in such figures the mold or templet is provided. The tread por tion or sole portion a conforms in shape or contour and size with the tread portion of a given last.

In making molds or templets embodying my invention I proceed as follows: I take each last in turn and apply to the tread or sole of the same a plastic substance, such as papiermach or a composition of like nature or leather or any other substance applicable to the purpose. This substance is molded to the said portion of the last and will be caused to conform closely to the contour and outline thereof. Where the raised rim or marginal portion Z) is desired, the corresponding edge portion of the said substance is turned up around the sides of the last. The raised rim or marginal portion may be made continuous around the entire tread portion or sole or may be discontinued at the toe, as in Figs. 1 and 2, or may extend only around the heel, as in Fig. 4:. The substance when ready is taken from the last and presents a perfect pattern or counterpart of the tread of that last. To one side of the mold or templet thus produced at the ball I attach a measuring device consisting of a tape, as at f, having suitable graduations, a similar tape being attached at the opposite side adjacent the position of the first joint of the little toe. I also fasten other measures at the points a 7' for use in ascertaining the size of the waist of the foot and at the points g h for taking the exact size of the instep.

In Figs. 1 to 3 the raised rim begins at one side of the mold 01' templet at the ball or enis applied to the mold or templet of Figs. 1

and 3 the lateral prominence of the ball of the former is located properly within the said bulge or swell c the shoe made upon such last will fit comfortably.

The use of the invention is as follows: Instead of trying to ascertain the shape of a 'customers foot by the rule and measure hitherto in use the vender applies one or morein succession of the molds or templets embodying my invention to the foot, and thusfinds one thereof which fits the latter. He is in- .formed thereby respecting the right shape of the boot or shoe which is required by the purchaser, for the mold or templet which thus fits shows at once the width, length, and whole contour of the foot and in the case of the device of Figs. 1 to 3 also shows the size and s i the foot over the ball and the sizes of the instep and waist are then taken by means of situation of the ball of the foot. The size of the measures that are attached to the mold or templet, and thus the vender is fully advised respecting the exact shape, size, contour, &c., of the foot of the purchaser.

Figs. 1 and 2 show anopening 0 through the raised rim or marginal portion bat the swell or bulge 0 for the ball of the foot. The said hole enables the vender to see at'once where the tread of the ball of the foot falls in the particular boot or shoe that is required by the customer. hen the latter places his foot in the mold with his heel touching the back part of the rim 0, if the bone or prominence of the large joint does not fall within the opening 6 a different size or shape of mold or templet must be taken.

.An important feature of the invention is the attachment of a measuring device to the mold or templet at a point which insures that .1n use for measuring purposes the said device shall come exactly over the ball of the foot. Thus the tapes f f come exactly over the ball of the foot from both sides of the mold or templet. The size of thelast itself with which the mold or templet corresponds is determined by a measure placed in a similarposition. The attachment of the tapes f f to the mold or templet at the point or points stated enables the vender to ascertain with such size properly and exactly. 2, and 3 the hole 6 serves to indicate to thecertainty the exact size of the last over the ball of the foot. Without the aid of the invention it would be very difficult to ascertain In Figs. 1,

eye of the vender that the measurement is being taken at the right place.

What I claim as my invention is 1. The mold or templet for shoe-vendors use in fitting boots and shoes, having a tread portion conforming in size, shape, and contour with the tread portion of a given last upon which boots or shoes are made, and with the sole of a human foot to which such last corresponds, the said mold or templet having a raised marginal portion conforming to the exterior of the ball of the said foot and formed with the hole receiving the bone or joint of the said ball when the mold or templet is correctly applied to the said foot.

:2. The mold or templet for shoe-venders use infitting boots and shoes, having a tread portion conforming in size, shape, and contour with the tread portion of a given last upon which boots or shoes. are made, and with the sole of a human foot to which such last corresponds, the said mold or templet having a raised marginal portion conforming to the exterior of the ball of the said foot and formed with the hole receiving the bone or joint of the said ball when the mold or templet is correctly applied to the said foot, and being provided with a device for measuring over and around the said ball.

3. A device of the class described, a tread having a predetermined contour forming a heel and sole portion, a marginal upturned rim, a portion thereof conforming to the exterior of the ball of the human foot and provided with an opening receiving the bone or joint of said ball, said rim extending from one side of the sole portion around the heel to the other side of said sole portion, and means connected to the tread to form measuring devices.

l. A device of the class described, a tread portion of a predetermined contour, a marginal upturned portion on said tread, the latter conforming to the exterior of the ball of the human foot and provided with an opening for receiving the bone or joint of said ball, and extending from one side of the said device around the heel thereof to the other side of the same, and a plurality of separated means forming measurers.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM M. HALBAGH.

itnesses:

WOLDEMAR HAUPT, HENRY HASPER. 

